Particle acceleration in a model of a turbulent reconnecting plasma: a fractional diffusion approach

Bian, N.H. and Browning, P.K. (2008) Particle acceleration in a model of a turbulent reconnecting plasma: a fractional diffusion approach. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 687(2), L111-L114. (doi: 10.1086/593145)

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Abstract

High-energy charged particles are produced during solar flares. These may be accelerated by the strong electric fields associated with the magnetic reconnection process which is the source of energy release in flares. A simple model of random acceleration of charged particles due to fragmented electric fields is considered for the case of a turbulent reconnecting plasma in which the fluctuating electric field is highly localized and its magnitude distributed according to power laws. The statistical properties of the acceleration process are expressed in terms of a fractional diffusion equation in velocity space, whose solution displays a power-law tail related only to the statistics of the electric field.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Browning, Prof Philippa and Bian, Dr Nicolas Horace
Authors: Bian, N.H., and Browning, P.K.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Astrophysical Journal Letters
ISSN:2041-8205
ISSN (Online):2041-8213

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